The Grinning Skeleton — Gérard de Lairesse

This dramatic anatomical figure comes from Govard Bidloo’s celebrated anatomical atlas, illustrated by Dutch artist Gérard de Lairesse. A carefully articulated skeleton stands beneath a monumental stone arch, turning its skull toward the viewer while lifting a long piece of drapery. The expressive pose gives the scientific study an unmistakably theatrical presence.

Classical architecture, an ornamental urn, distant landscape, and monument create an elaborate setting around the figure, while the soft folds of the shroud-like fabric contrast with the precisely rendered bones. The combination of anatomy and mortality gives the composition the character of a memento mori, while intricate engraved linework preserves the remarkable visual sophistication of seventeenth-century Dutch anatomical illustration.

Artwork Details

• Artist: Gérard de Lairesse
• Title: The Grinning Skeleton
• Original title: Anatomical skeleton, Table 88
• Series: Ontleding des menschelyken lichaams
• Date: 1690
• Period: 17th century / Dutch Baroque
• Place of Origin: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Medium: Copperplate engraving

Framed Print Details

• Fine art printing: Professional 12-color fine art printing technology produces vivid, accurate colors with strong tonal depth and significantly greater nuance than standard 4-color inkjet printing.
• Paper: Smooth premium matte paper with a clean, glare-free finish.
• Paper weight: 200 gsm (80 lb).
• Paper thickness: 0.26 mm (10.3 mils).
• Frame material: Durable pine wood.
• Frame dimensions: Approximately 20 mm (0.79 in) deep and 10–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide.
• Protection: Shatterproof plexiglass protects the print while keeping the framed artwork lightweight.
• Ready to hang: A hanging kit is included, allowing the framed print to be mounted directly on the wall.
• Available sizes: Offered in a range of sizes to suit different spaces.
• Materials: Printed using FSC-certified paper and wood where available.
• Production: Each framed print is produced to order through a trusted international network of professional print studios.
• Shipping: Worldwide shipping is available.
• Made to order: There is no minimum order quantity. Each piece is printed and assembled on demand, reducing unnecessary stock and waste.

Exact frame dimensions, component availability, and production specifications may vary slightly depending on the selected size and destination.